Memorial garden unveiled for two Santa Cruz officers killed in 2013

A memorial was unveiled Wednesday in honor of two Santa Cruz police officers killed in the line of duty.

Exactly one year ago today, Sgt. Loren "Butch" Baker, Det. Elizabeth Butler were gunned down by a sexual assault suspect.

The rain did not stop a few hundred people from showing up to honor the two Santa Cruz police officers who were killed. Officials unveiled a memorial garden that was dedicated to them.

The chief of police spoke as well as other spiritual and community leaders.

They gave their remarks on what's taken place since that tragic day, saying it has been a long road over the past year.

Baker and Butler were shot and killed by Jeremy Goulet during a sexual assault investigation on February 26, 2013.

Goulet was eventually shot and killed by police later that day.

Butler's long-time partner and their two young children brought flowers to the memorial.

Deputy Chief Steve Clark then unveiled the plaques to the family.

The plaque is inscribed with the words, "We will miss you forever. We will never forget."

"We're really hoping that this garden is just a place for the entire community to remember the sacrifice and hopefully to reflect on who we want to be and what will the personality of Santa Cruz be," Clark said.

The public was allowed to go to the memorial garden to look at the plaques after the ceremony.

The flags at the location will remain at half-staff in honor of the only two officers in Santa Cruz police's history to ever be killed in the line of duty.